Department for Culture Media and Sport

Mobile Phones

Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what analysis his Department has undertaken of the relative benefits to the economy of access to (a) 2G, (b) 3G and (c) 4G mobile coverage.

Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what analysis his Department has undertaken of the relative benefits to businesses of access to (a) 2G, (b) 3G and (c) 4G mobile coverage.

Mr Edward Vaizey: No such specific analysis has been done but the Government commissioned research by RAND to assess the value of the provision of mobile coverage in not-spot areas. It noted that there were perceived economic benefits associated with mobile coverage and the value of this varied with the size of business in question. The findings can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/412201/Mobile_network_not_spots_final_report.pdf Ofcom’s 2014 Infrastructure Report also noted that mobile communication is vital to businesses and that 79% of small and medium-sized enterprises now use mobile phones. Improving mobile coverage is a priority for the Government it secured a landmark agreement in December 2014 with the four mobile network operators (MNOs) to provide voice and SMS text coverage to at least 90% of the UK landmass by 2017. As a result of this legally binding obligation we also expect data coverage to improve. Furthermore, Telefonica has a licence obligation to deliver indoor 4G coverage to 98% of premises in the UK by 2017. Other MNOs have indicated that they will match this commitment. Taken together these obligations will be significantly improve coverage in the UK to benefit businesses and the digital economy.

Broadband: Competition

Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure competition between broadband infrastructure providers.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Ensuring there is competitive broadband market is a matter for Ofcom, although the Government has a keen interest in an efficient and effective market, capable of delivering users the level of service they require. Ofcom regularly monitors and regulates competition in electronic communications markets through market reviews. In June 2014 Ofcom published a Statement on its Fixed Access Market Reviews 2014 and announced a number of changes designed to promote competition in the markets. The Regulator also announced in March this year a Strategic Review of Digital Communications in the UK, in order to assess future issues around infrastructure and competition.

Broadband: Bradford

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to increase broadband coverage and speed in Bradford.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The West Yorkshire superfast broadband project, which covers Bradford, will provide superfast broadband coverage to nearly 59,000 homes and businesses. As of March 2015, the project had already provided superfast broadband coverage to over 46,000 premises.

Telecommunications

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the mobile network operators on (a) digital infrastructure and inclusion and (b) reform of the Electronic Communications Code since May 2015.

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with mobile network operators on (a) digital infrastructure and inclusion and (b) reform of the Electronic Communications Code since May 2015.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State regularly meets with all stakeholders across the telecoms industry to discuss a variety of relevant issues including the reform of the Electronic Communications Code. The Government is committed to reforming the current Code in ways that will promote network connectivity, expand coverage and take into account the legitimate interests of all parties. By enabling the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure, Code reform will provide more consumers across the country with a range of high quality digital services.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Economic Situation: Bradford

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the contribution to Bradford's economy made by the (a) digital sector, (b) animation industry, (c) fashion and textiles industry and (d) games industry.

Mr Edward Vaizey: While there are little economic statistics available on individual cities such as Bradford broken down by detailed industries there are estimates of employment from the ONS Business Registers and Employment Survey (BRES). This survey reports that in 2013 there were around 6,200 jobs in Bradford the digital sector (which incorporates ICT and Media) and 1,400 in the manufacture of textiles, clothing and footwear. Employment figures for animation and the computer games industry in Bradford are not available. Bradford has a rich textiles history, particularly for the production of fine wool fabric. The textiles sector is still important to Bradford today with companies engaged in a wide range of activities – from spinning and weaving to the production of high performance and high value added goods. I am pleased Government has been able, through the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) programme, to support the creation and safeguarding of jobs in textile businesses through the national Textiles Growth Programme. 11 Bradford-based businesses have been assisted to date, with investment in capital projects, skills training and research and development. The Textiles Growth Programme was granted a further tranche of RGF funding earlier this year – bringing total Government investment to £32.3m – giving more Bradford companies the opportunity to secure support for innovation and growth.

Television Companies: Political Parties

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much was spent by (a) the BBC and (b) Channel 4 under each cost heading at the party conferences of each political party in 2014.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much was spent by (a) the BBC and (b) Channel 4 on hospitality and screening of (i) opera and (ii) brass band performances in each of the last three years.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture Media and Sport does not hold this information.

Digital Technology: Disability

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that people with sensory loss can share in the benefits of (a) on-demand television services and (b) new social media.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government remains committed to seeing an improvement in the provision of access services for video-on-demand (VoD) services and will continue to monitor progress. If the Authority for Television on Demand’s (ATVOD's) 2015 annual survey of VoD Services indicates that significant progress has not been made then, as stated in the Connectivity, Content and Consumers Paper (July 2013), we will consider legislation in 2016. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not have policy responsibility for sensory loss for new social media.